Here's the skinny on Cubs' jam-packed spring

This story was excerpted from Jordan Bastian's Cubs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO -- The Cubs have been one of the most active teams this offseason, making moves that addressed every facet of their roster. The North Siders landed some star power in Kyle Tucker and brought in a pile of other players in an effort to turn the page on last season, with the goal of a playoff run in October.

“Our team should have high expectations,” Tucker said during Cubs Convention last month. “We’re a phenomenal organization with some really good players. So our goal going into the year -- we should expect to make the playoffs and make a run at the World Series. I don’t think you should go into a season not expecting that.

“That’s my goal, and I know it’s a lot of guys’ goals. It starts now.”

With that in mind, let’s tackle the FAQ with Spring Training starting soon:

When is the first workout for pitchers and catchers?
While plenty of players are already on site in Arizona, the Cubs are scheduled to hold their first official workout for batterymates on Sunday.

What is the date of the first full-squad workout?
Position players are not required to join the fold until the Cubs hold their first official full-squad workout on Feb. 14.

Where is the team’s facility?
Sloan Park, the Cubs' home stadium for Spring Training, is located at 2330 W. Rio Salado Pkwy. in Mesa, Ariz. The team's training facility for both the Major League club and the Minor League affiliates is located just to the west of the ballpark on the same property.

Can fans attend workouts?
There is plenty of space for fans to line up around the two main practice fields across Clark St. on the west side of Sloan Park. There is a walking path from the practice complex to the stadium, giving fans a unique chance to see players up close as they make their way to the ballpark. The Minor League fields also have parking and fan access to see the club's prospects go through workouts and play games.

Who are some new faces fans should know?
The Cubs made one of the biggest splashes of the offseason when they swung a trade with the Astros to bring Tucker to Chicago. He will patrol right field and have a home in the heart of the North Siders’ lineup. The Cubs and Astros also teamed up on a deal that brought veteran closer Ryan Pressly over to anchor the bullpen.

Beyond those moves, the Cubs signed left-hander Matthew Boyd to help the rotation, added veteran catcher Carson Kelly and brought in righty Colin Rea as a swingman. The acquisitions of infielders Jon Berti and Vidal Bruján give Chicago more bench options. Eli Morgan and Caleb Thielbar were among those added to the bullpen.

Who are some of the top prospects invited to Major League camp?
Matt Shaw (ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 19 overall prospect) will be competing for the starting job at third base. Two Top 100 prospects are on the Cubs’ 40-man roster: outfielders Owen Caissie (No. 54) and Kevin Alcántara (No. 90). Prospects on the roster from Pipeline’s Cubs Top 30 list include righty Jack Neely (No. 17), infielder Benjamin Cowles (No. 25), infielder Gage Workman (No. 27) and righty Caleb Kilian (No. 30).

The Cubs have not announced their non-roster invitees, which likely will include more ranked prospects.

When is the team’s first Cactus League game?
The Cubs begin the Cactus League portion of their schedule on Feb. 20 against the Dodgers at Camelback Ranch. Chicago’s first home game at Sloan Park will be on Feb. 21, also against the Dodgers.

What are a few other notable spring games?
The Cubs will host the crosstown rival White Sox on Feb. 22 at Sloan Park. On March 2, the Reds, under new manager Terry Francona, will visit the North Siders. The rival Brewers come to Sloan Park for the first time on March 11. The Cubs’ big league squad will be away from Arizona from March 12-20 due to the MLB Tokyo Series against the Dodgers.

What is Spring Breakout and when is the game?
Spring Breakout returns as a showcase for top prospects from around baseball. The game’s future stars will square off in games across Arizona and Florida from March 13-16. For the Cubs, they will send their top prospects up against prospects from the Dodgers on March 13 at Camelback Ranch and then against Angels prospects on March 15 at Sloan Park.

Will the team’s games be televised?
Marquee Sports Network is planning to air most of the Cubs’ spring games, but details have not been announced.

When is the club’s last game in Arizona?
After the Cubs return from Japan, their final Cactus League contest will be against the A’s on March 23 at Sloan Park. But Chicago will be staying put in Arizona for another week.

Will there be any additional exhibitions before the regular season?
Following the conclusion of the Cactus League slate, the Cubs will host the Braves (stopping in Arizona en route to San Diego for Opening Day) on March 24 and March 25 at Sloan Park. During the trip to Japan in mid-March, the Cubs will have exhibition games against the Hanshin Tigers (March 15) and Yomiuri Giants (March 16).

What are the details for Opening Day?
The Cubs have a few “openers” this year. First, the North Siders will travel to Japan to face the Dodgers from March 18-19 (5:10 a.m. CT for both) in the Tokyo Dome. Those games will count for the regular season. After returning to Arizona, the Cubs will have their more traditional opener against the D-backs on March 27 at Chase Field. Chicago’s home opener will be against the Padres at 1:20 p.m. CT on April 4 at Wrigley Field.